Talk Birdie To Me

Well this is very special. Dottie Pepper is a legend in the golfing world, a wonderful player with a stellar record, and a groundbreaking commentator and today for Hostplus, we're hosting Dottie on Talk Birdie To Me.We start with Nick and Mark asking Dottie to tell us how she got into golf as a youngster, and her story about how it started, given her Dad's background as a Pro Baseball Player is fantastic. Her setup at home was pretty helpful!Nick asks her about being the leading player on her high school team with one very important detail that makes it even more impressive. And Mark has always been interested to watch the leading amateurs in tournaments, and is keen to hear what that was like for Dottie as that amateur.Dottie tells a great story about playing qualifying and making a significant error in the 9-holes she played....and why her sister contributed significantly to Dottie's 'breakthrough moment'.Nick and Mark have said for some time that the Women should probably have only 4 majors, and they ask Dottie her view. She agrees - and names the tournament that she believes should be dropped as a Womens Major. Mark observes that the womens game is so strong at the moment with the depths of fields fantastic, and asks Dottie if she agrees and if so why the womens' game is so strong these days. She highlights one particularly player who she feels is particularly impressive.After the turn, we chat about her commentary. Dottie explains how she developed her commentary approach and skills, and shares the advice she received from Mike Tirico and Judy Rankin which helped her. Recently Aaron Rai wowed the world with his performance to win the PGA Championship, particularly on the final day, and Mark asks Dottie where that ranks in terms of the greatest golf she has seen played. She tells us....but.....she also tells an amazing story that we were unaware of about Aaron Rai's Dad on the final day of that tournament!!!Back to commentary. She was given some advice once about what never to do when commentating Tiger Woods....she shares that with us. Dottie also tells us a couple of great Tiger stories from her experiences with him, and she talks to us about what it was like being the first on course commentator at the 2020 Masters - quite the achievement!And we wrap up a wonderful conversation with Dottie, for Hostplus, by finding out what her plans are for the next stage of life, whenever that may be. When the time comes to retire, what does she hope to do.We are quite sure we speak for everyone when we say that we hope Dottie Pepper retiring is a long way off yet!!!

This week is US Open week for the women, and there are a bunch of Aussies playing, a couple with a real shot, we discuss who might be able to win. Nick is veeeery confident about one particular golfer given the nature of the Riviera course, and how it may suit them. Nick gives Mark an impromptu pop quiz on how many Australians, and who they are, have won at Riviera, and we talk about how the course is set up.Nick and Mark discuss the 10th hole, one of Nicks faves, which leads to a chat about unusual golf holes, ones that course designers wouldn't be able to build today for fear of being laughed out of the room....we list a few.Memorial this weekend, and it's a big one, honouring the legendary David Graham this year....well deserved and very exciting.Mark was fascinated by Bryson's use of AI to help him with an issue at the weekend, and discusses what happened with Nick. Mark then decides to see if AI, ie: Grok, can help Nick with some tips to get more width in his swing. Results are mixed it's fair to say. But, Mark has been watching some YouTube instructional videos and trying some stuff out....his masterclass today on one thing he's been trying that seems to have worked well.For Hostplus, this weeks 'Plus for Golf' is the US Womens Open being at Riveria, it's a great course, and the tournament will be sensational. Nick nominates Joaquin Niemann as the BMW Touch of Class winner this week for something he did in Korea....and it wasn't when he was playing.After the turn, Nick's Top 5 for Betr is the Top 5 celebrations he has seen in golf....there are some rippers!For Southern Golf Club....feedback today. Lots on Bryson and his decision on where he might play next season, heaps of feedback on Slow Play, including one bit of feedback from a superstar Australian sportsperson (not golf) who has written in, and we have received a video from wolfpacker David in the UK on something concerning that he saw in the Byron Nelson a couple of weekends ago, and wants the boys view.Heaps to discuss in the PING Globals, lots going on, and we debate Russell Henley's ranking....we think he might be Top 10, but are unsure where....so we check on the Find My Player app. He's quite under rated, including by us apparently!And finally the masterclass for the Golf Clearance Outlet, Mark has a tip he's found on YouTube, and he is tweaking his takeaway a touch, is it working? He seems pretty happy!And tomorrow, for Hostplus, a fantastic episode - we host the incredible Dottie Pepper on Talk Birdie To Me, that is an unmissable ep!

Firstly apologies. It's a Friday Feedback pod, which is derailed slightly by a new 'hobby' Mark has discovered....which delays the start of the show by a minute or so. But....once we get back on track, there's plenty of great stuff to discuss. Daz wa watching Alex Smalley and feels he is giving off Nick O'Hern vibes in how he plays, his demeanour. Mark can see that. Speaking of lookalikes, Mark is horrified by Tour Pro Jackson Suber who has modelled his look, his game, and his mannerisms on Keegan Bradley.....of all the players....Mark is incredulous that Jackson would choose Keegan.Scott has written in, he is a Brett Ogle fan and bumped into him in Canberra recently, and was talking to Brett about Mark's recent comments on the pod regarding Brett's low shots. Scott reckons we have to get him on....he's right, we do.Andrew from the UK was pleased to hear us discuss Robert Rock last week and told us a story about watching Rocky play recently, he hasn't lost much! Craig enjoyed Nick's Top 5 'nicest golfers' list last week, and is keen to know where Nick would put Phil Mickelson on that list. Nick gives his view on his experiences with Phil, and Mark alludes to a story about Phil and Paul Gow which showed a more competitive side of Phil.Following the Aaron Rai chat last week, Bill has messaged about his approach to gloves and why, Jonathon reckons Aaron is all class - correct, and Laurie has an observation on iron covers.CT has a question for Nick and Mark about caddies and how much difference do they really make? Doc is debating whether to play from the forward tees, or remain at the back, and asks Nick and Mark their advice for him, and we finish with a great story from Scott who years ago watched Terry Price tear up a golf course in Townsville!A fun Friday Feedback pod today!

On this bonus Talk Birdie Mini, we received a voicemail from Teddy in Thailand, and he has arthritis in his index finger - never ideal for a golf grip. Teddy is after some thoughts from Nick and Mark on options that may help - and whether you're in Teddy's position or not, the grip conversation and advice is a fascinating listen.We discuss the various grip options, the Greg Norman grip, the 10-finger grip, the interlock, and chat about the best kind of gloves that may help Teddy.Some time ago Mark watched a video which outlined the significant difference fresh grips can have, even on quite old clubs, so he is a proponent of that. In this mini Mark mentions Ben Jackson's Gripmaster, the link is here: https://thegripmaster.com/Thanks for the voicemail Teddy, good luck with your golf, and with the arthritis work arounds!

We start today with Nick talking us through the new Long Island course(s) which he played late last week, a course redesign that Mark describes as a 'new concept in golf', whereby it is basically 3 courses. Nick played one of them and outlines what it was like, he cannot wait to go back. The team at OCM have done a great job.And onto a huge talking point of the week. The tournament at TPC Craig Ranch in Texas, where the course underwent a $25m redesign to make it tougher for the pros, was it? Well perhaps not. Nick and Mark look at the scores....wowee. Mark describes course designers adding in multiple pin placements a 'con' and explains why.Nick has got his hands on a survey that the PGA Tour has sent to Tour Pros, and there are some fascinating questions that they have asked. He talks through some of the most intriguing ones. Mark shares a revealing stat on his club head speed and carry today vs when he was on tour.....interesting! And we compare a couple of Titleist drivers, a newer one vs an older one. Nick also has a stat, one to do with Tiger and his driving distance.Mark says 'Rory McIlroy broke my heart'. Was this a romantic situation? Is it love scorned? No, it's far worse, Mark explains on the pod. Nick, being supportive, after hearing the story says that Rory is wrong. We discuss bifurcation for a bit. It really is the only solution.And what about Bryson? A YouTube star or a Pro Golfer? What will he do? He has said he is uncertain. Mark is 100% clear on what he'd like Bryson to do, Nick more circumspect.And for Hostplus, our 'plus' for golf this week is the Long Island redevelopment!After the turn.....following Nick's Top 5 nicest pro golfers last week, today Mark lists the top 5 'arsehole' acts he has seen Tour Pros do. Does he name names? Well, one. But Nick also has a story about an arsehole act that happened to him from a Tour Pro, he refuses to give the name, despite Mark and Dan trying to trap him - but from the clues, see if you can guess?The PING globals, plenty to talk through, including the great win by Scott Hend at the weekend! Fantastic to see.For Southern Golf Club, plenty of feedback, including on Nick and Mark's analysis of Cam Smith's swing last week, and we have a listen to his coach Claude Harmon speaking on his 'Son of a Butch' podcast about working with Cam.Feedback on cheating, including an incident at The Grange in Adelaide, AO Comments, and we get our discussion on where Lions live from last week clarified.And for the Golf Clearance Outlet, a cracking masterclass from Nick O'Hern inspired by watching Si Woo Kim at the weekend doing something unusual with his putting.

A Monday Mini today where we look at a question from Postman who is frustrated by slow play, and wants Nick and Mark to list their tips for 'Ready Golf'. The boys list the things that they reckon you must do, and we read through a few tips from wolfpacker Tony who has given his own list.So Nick and Mark are listing their 'ready golf' tips, have they missed any that you feel are important? Let us know in the comments.

We've been talking a fair bit about the challenges of Pros hitting the ball farther, and what technological adjustments are required....the ball rollback, driver heads, and a variety of creative things on the golf courses. But wolfpacker Paul reckons he's nailed it, and it doesn't require any redevelopment of equipment.Have a listen to this voicemail from Paul with his solution to solve the issue. Let us know if you think he's onto something.